Anyone use a Streetwize (Unpowered) "Power Washer" instead of an outside tap?

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Sheffield_Tiger

Legendary Member
I'm crap at cleaning my bikes and it's basically because to do so I have to faff about with buckets of water in and out of the house, then my shoes get muddy so after cleaning the bike I have to clean the kitchen floor

I should fit an outside tap but kitchen layout makes access to plumbing at a suitable spot awkward..I should have installed one when I fitted power to the shed but that ship sailed,,

The alternative is one of these:
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/3795...vc:c|adp:1o4&gclid=COW_m-Xj-dACFZQW0wodiQIOeQ
powwash.jpg


Looks like it could be useful, not powerful enough to blast through seals but enough to maybe fill up once and use without traipsing in and out, for just an every other day clean?

Has anyone tried one of these?
 

Slick

Guru
I used it to spray de greaser on my trucks. Now, the bike is all I need to clean, I find an outside tap, hose and a sponge does the trick. I suppose it would be okay, but don't expect any pressure behind it.
 

double0jedi

Senior Member
Location
East Devon
I use one, i keep it filter up in the shed where i keep the bike. When its wet out, riding in the country lanes of Easy Devon always give my black bike an orange/brown hue. Soon as i get home i put it on a stand and rinse it off with the Spray.
Then at the weekend give it a good clean. The Spray isnt enough to damage seals or anything but does have enough power to remove the mud.
 

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Buckets plural? If it's less than three bikes or two MTBs, that's using more water than I would. One 10 litre bucket to wash, then a 3 litre spray bottle to rinse off.
 
OP
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Sheffield_Tiger

Sheffield_Tiger

Legendary Member
Not that particular model, but one very similar, if you set it for a fine spray it does a great job of rinsing the bike without putting bearings at risk, I even rinse the car off with it too.

Excellent - that's what I'm looking for. We sell them at work (not argos) but I never got any customer feedback. Just a wee bit of spray is what I'm, after rather than a "wash bucket" then back in for a "rinse bucket" - and if I can "blast/tickle" the bike down after a rainy commute rather than waiting for the bike to be filthy so much the better
 

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
I hate to burst your [soap] bubble but why are you cleaning your bike? It really isn't necessary, proper maintenance will care for your drive train and the rest can look after itself. :okay:
 
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Sheffield_Tiger

Sheffield_Tiger

Legendary Member
Feck me. Seriously?

You think a "portable power washer" is the answer? Over a bucket of water. Good luck.

Ideally not over a bucket of water but by filling it from the water butt and giving a "general wash and wipe" without going into the house from arriving home
 

RichardB

Slightly retro
Location
West Wales
Seriously, get an outside tap fitted, however awkward the layout. I've got two, one at the back and one at the front, and I use them all then time. Washing cars, washing bikes, watering the garden and greenhouse, cleaning mud off boots, rinsing foxandbadgerplop off the Labrador ... The hassle is soon paid back in greater convenience. The thing I wish I had done was get weatherproof electrical sockets fitted at the same time. No more extension leads trailing through doors and windows .. I can dream.
 

BorderReiver

Veteran
I don't have a tap or power supply anywhere near where I keep my bikes (joys of apartment living) so I use a Nomad Portable Power Washer (http://www.nomadwasher.com/) which is powered by an 18V rechargeable battery. "Power" is a bit of a misnomer as it certainly doesn't produce enough force to put your bearings at risk but it is fine for removing mud that hasn't been left to dry. One fill of water will do about 3 bikes and the battery will do about 5. It isn't a cheap solution but it beats dragging buckets of water up and down stairs every time.
 
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